ENGINEERS, architects and students are being challenged to come up with imaginative ideas for a new River Severn crossing.

There are no holds barred, say the organisers – it can go over or under the river, and there is no specific site in mind: it could, for example, be entirely in Gloucestershire so long as it fulfils the objective of speeding people between England and Wales.

The challenge has been laid down by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in the South West with the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) and the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). Architects, engineers and

students studying engin­eering and architecture at universities across the region are eligible.

The competition, Linking the Lands, was launched on Monday. Teams of architects and engineers are encouraged to work together to enter.

Linking the Lands will be judged by a leading panel of construction professionals, chaired by Martin Knight (Knight Architects), a design review panellist for the Design Commission for Wales. 

Pierre Wassenaar, president of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales, said: "What could be more fitting for the RSAW in 2010 as we continue to expand on our theme of 'connection' than to celebrate this fantastic competition for a further link between Wales and England, bringing together the talents of architects and engineers from both sides of the water." 

The shortlist of entries will be announced in May 2010 and will form the basis of an exhibition which will subsequently be shown in Cardiff and Bristol. The winner of each of three categories will be announced at the launch night of the exhibition in Cardiff in June 2010.

For electronic entry details email rsaw@inst. riba.org